THE family of a Colne soldier have spoken of their joy after his name was inscribed on the town’s memorial – 93 years after he died in battle.

Kathleen Crabtree, the great niece of Sgt John Baxter, said her family had been calling for the move after researching his war service.

Sgt Baxter’s name had been left off the town’s memorial, in Albert Road, despite his death at the Battle of the Lys in April 1918.

The 22-year-old, who served with the Lancashire Fusiliers, was not added when the cenotaph was erected because he was recorded as being ‘missing’ in action.

Mrs Crabtree, from Reedley, said: “We really do feel, with the circumstances in the country even today, that the bravery of people like great-uncle John should be recognised.

“I tried to get as much information about John as possible but it got to the stage where it became difficult and we contacted the legion.

“They helped in every way possible. It is going to be a very emotional for us. He gave his life for his country.”

Mrs Crabtree and her family will be present at the dedication, outside the Providence Independent Methodist Church, just before 11am today.

Paul Blackhurst, vice-chairman of Colne Royal British Legion, said: “It has been an honour for us to undertake this research on behalf of John Baxter’s family.

“And we cannot be more pleased with the support of Pendle Council, which worked at lightning speed to make sure his name was added before the 11th of the 11th.”

Born in Hargreaves Street and later moving to New Market Street, John enlisted with the 11th battallion of the Fusiliers at Preston in June 1916.

His battalion served on the Western Front at Messines and Passchendaele before the fateful conflict at Lys.

The battle formed part of the second phase of the Germans’ spring offensive and saw John’s comrades engaged in heavy fighting from late March onwards.

But on April 10 the Fusiliers were pushed back to the railway line at Steenwerck and John was later reported missing, presumed dead.

Sgt Baxter’s name is mentioned among the Commonwealth War Dead at the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium but his body was never found.

Because of his ‘missing’ status initially, he was never recorded on the roll of honour at Colne’s St Bartholomew Church, and then the memorial.

His British Empire Medal and Victory Medal were dispatched to his next of kin but are now lost.

His brother Wilkinson, Mrs Crabtree’s grandfather, was a signaller and his father Thomas served with the Royal Ordnance Corps in Burscough.

They both survived the war.